Worthington wants to wait

Nigel Worthington is not interested in discussing a new contract as Northern Ireland boss until his country’s World Cup fate is settled.

IFA president Raymond Kennedy is keen to offer Worthington a two-year extension to the deal that expires in December.

Worthington has revived Northern Ireland’s fortunes – and as they head into the new season, they still hold realistic hopes of reaching South Africa 2010.

It is the vital September double-header against Poland and Slovakia that remains uppermost in Worthington’s thoughts, rather than discussing new terms.

“It is not an important issue at the moment,” Worthington told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“I just want to concentrate on the games.

“Signing a new deal is not at the forefront of my mind.”

Worthington has guided Northern Ireland to 27th in the FIFA rankings since replacing Lawrie Sanchez in June 2007.

Two wins in the autumn could be enough to guide the Irishmen to their first major finals since reaching the 1986 World Cup under Billy Bingham.

“We want to send out a message that Nigel is our man and we do not want to let him go,” said Kennedy.